Ukraine's forces push back Putin troops near Kyiv, say defence chiefs

RUSSIAN forces have been pushed back from a “number of positions” near Kyiv, British defence chiefs said today.

- Rachael Burford and Nicholas Cecil

However, they warned that Vladimir Putin’s troops still pose a “significant threat” to the Ukrainian capital from their “strike capability”.

Ukrainian authorities said its forces had retaken the key western suburb of Irpin from Russian control after weeks of fierce fighting. Troops “liberated” the suburban town, interior minister Denys Monastyrsky said.

As Mr Putin’s troops were forced into localised retreats, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko added: “We have destroyed the myth of the invincible Russian army.”

The Ministry of Defence said in its latest intelligence briefing: “Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct localised counter attacks to the north-west of Kyiv — including at Irpen, Bucha and Hostomel. These attacks have had some success and the Russians have been pushed back from a number of positions.